Here’s an interesting question for you: Where are all the 3D digital cameras and photos? There are 3D TVs, 3D movies, 3D games, 3D printers, Kinect — but, when it comes to 3D still cameras, the market is almost completely barren. Sure, there’s a handful of 3D point-and-shoot cameras, but they’re not exactly flying off the shelves — but more importantly, the 3D smartphone market basically died a few months after it was created by the LG Optimus 3D.

With camera megapixel counts going through the roof, pixels have become incredibly small. Unfortunately, traditional sensor designs cover up the pixels with layers of wiring. Back-illuminated technology literally flips the design on its back, so that the photosites are directly in the light, greatly improving low-light performance.

Have you ever wondered what the insides of a digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) actually look like? I know there’s a big CMOS censor on the front, and a powerful chip that can process vast amounts of data very quickly — but beyond that, I figured a DSLR was just a bunch of buttons. In actual fact, it turns out that modern DSLRs are some of the most complex electromechanical devices you’ll ever see — and we have glorious teardown photos to prove it.

This week’s Orionid meteor shower is already gathering headlines for highly visible “shooting stars,” some of which are even creating audible booms. We show you how to capture these fleeting moments using your camera and tripod.

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